Back in the day, before he was really famous, people would sometimes comment that we had much in common with Jon Richardson. Not sure we’ve ever been accused of looking like him before though.

It’s an odd picture, that one.

Amir was a teenager when he committed his offense and he immediately admitted to it and served his suspension. He deserves a second chance. Not a third, though.

Butt and Asif I’d feel differently about. Doesn’t seem like anyone’s too eager to bring them back, though, so that point is likely moot.

But was it broadcast on Sky? And was it before or after the watershed?

On consideration, though I normally wish young talent well, I hope he gets thwonked on his comeback so that his future selection becomes a non-issue. Is that cruel of me?

My second favourite comment on the Cricinfo thread about Pakistan’s team selection is “Here is a simple parallel from life: if an employee is found guilty of criminally defrauding his company, what chance is there of him being employed in the same company after he has served his sentence? Of course, Amir needs cricket, but can cricket not do without him?” Which really seems to get to the heart of the matter.

My favourite comment on that thread is “why not Sharjeel khan in T20 he has performed even recently against England Loins”.

What a performance that must have been.

I have images of Azhar Ali and Mohammed Hafeez waving sticks of rhubarb at Amir and chuntering about uncovered pitches.

Some of his team mates were planning a boycott but as it transpired, they had no balls to see it through.

I never knew that this great site was owned and operated by TV comedy panel shows’ own John Richardson. How does he find the time?

My first reaction was “very Pakistan”.

I find it hard to believe that the best way to stop corruption in cricket is to say, worst case scenario, you can always have another go in a few years.

I considered Smith and Ashwin, Dan, but discounted them for the reasons you said effectively (overly helpful conditions and, in Smith’s case, many of the runs coming against modern-day WI).

One other man is Wahab Riaz, actually, for being a threat from the World Cup right through to the England series. But his numbers don’t stand up to scrutiny really, and while numbers shouldn’t be everything, they are something.